Review on exploration of graphene in the design and engineering of smart sensors, actuators and soft robotics

Abstract This article presents a comprehensive review on the recent development of graphene and its derivatives in the design and engineering of smart sensors, actuators and soft robotics. Comparing with traditional materials used in the fabrication of sensors and actuators, graphene and its derivatives obviously improved the sensitivity and selectivity of the devices due to their unique properties stemmed from graphene. In this article, we summarized mechanisms, design and engineering, and development of different graphene-based sensors actuators and soft robotics. We also selectively discussed on different techniques and methodologies to improve the performance of graphene-based sensors actuators and soft robotics, especially sensitivity and selectivity. To yield significant improvement and extend the field of applications, scientists have to improve the production of high-quality graphene, enhance the interface and interaction between graphene and other materials, develop multi-functional sensors or actuators, and finally achieve industrial production. Finally, the current challenges, prospective and potential soft robot application of various graphene-based sensors and actuators have been highlighted in detail.